Home Affairs Doubles Post-Study Visa Costs, Impacting Int'l Students

0:00From the Daily News Now Network, this is Corey with Adelaide News Today. The Australian Department of Home Affairs has doubled the cost of post-study work visas for international students. This change hits tens of thousands of recent graduates who plan to stay and work after their studies. These students have long been a major revenue source for universities, helping fund operations and attract more than rollees. The sudden price hike comes without much warning, forcing many to rethink their plans. Graduates are facing unexpected financial strain, with some scrambling to cover the extra costs, or even leave the country sooner than expected. Universities worry it could hurt their ability to draw top international talent. Meanwhile, new data reveals 50 percent more poker machines in areas where at least 10 percent of the population is indigenous. This raises concerns about access to gambling versus community support services. Gambling industry groups call the trend unsurprising, pointing to population patterns, but advocates push for better protections and services in these communities.

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